Williams Racing Cars

Williams FW21

Another rebadged Renault engine, this time a 'Supertec' left Williams unable to challenge at the front, despite some strong performances from the younger Schumacher brother in his debut season for Williams. The Williams FW21 proved too difficult a prospect for Indycar champion Alex Zanardi who couldn't get on top of the grooved Formula 1 tyre and failed to score a single point.

16

5th

2nd

1999

Debut

0

Poles

1

Fastest Laps

35

Total Points

Again decked out in Winfield red (albeit with a great deal more white), and again an evolution of the previous year’s car the Williams FW21 was more tightly packaged than its predecessor, and slightly more angular.

This was Williams’ second season of a transitional period between a works engine deal with Renault that ended in 1997 and a works deal with German car giant BMW that was due to begin in 2000.

The FW21 remained powered by what was once a Renault engine now in its third season, for 1999 badged as a ‘Supertec’ – a company owned by Flavio Briatore.

This was the second year of the grooved Formula 1 tyre, and Williams’ first with Bridgestone tyres, having used Goodyear rubber for the large majority of its Formula 1 existence.

One strength of the FW21 was its reliability which allowed Williams to finish every race but one.

It was a frustrating season for Zanardi, failing to score a point, but Ralf Schumacher‘s tally of 35, including 3 podiums, was enough to take the team to fifth place in the World Constructors Championship.

Sadly, Zanardi’s struggles were too much for Williams and he was ousted at the end of 1999, to be replaced by a young Jenson Button making his Formula 1 debut.

Williams FW21 Specs

Designed by:Patrick Head, Gavin Fisher and Geoff Willis
Year(s) active:1999
Official entrant:Winfield Williams
Drivers:Ralf Schumacher, Alex Zanardi
Engine:Supertec normally aspirated 3 litre V10
Tyres:Bridgestone
Fuel:Petrobras
Brakes:Carbone Industrie discs and pads and AP callipers
Transmission:Williams 6-speed longitudinal semi-automatic sequential
Preceded by:Williams FW20
Succeeded by:Williams FW22

Williams FW21 Results

1999

AUS BRA SMR MON ESP CAN FRA GBR AUT GER HUN BEL ITA EUR MAL JPN
ZANARDI DNF DNF 11 8 DNF DNF DNF 11 DNF DNF DNF 8 7 DNF 10 DNF
SCHUMACHER 3 4 DNF DNF 5 4 4 3 DNF 4 9 5 2 4 DNF 5

1999

AUS BRA SMR MON ESP CAN FRA GBR AUT GER HUN BEL ITA EUR MAL JPN
ZANARDI DNF DNF 11 8 DNF DNF DNF 11 DNF DNF DNF 8 7 DNF 10 DNF
SCHUMACHER 3 4 DNF DNF 5 4 4 3 DNF 4 9 5 2 4 DNF 5
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Supertec normally aspirated 3 litre V10
Tyres